gracep5
Reviews
"Bland"
It's just.. dull.
No one here is reviewing the same side of Pakenham. Theres the Lakeside/Cardinia area which is quite abit more pricey just because they built a lake, placed an expensive private school nearby and made the architecure quite modern. People reviewing this side say its safe and the neighbours are wonderful.. no. The other side to Pakenham is well... yeah. Areas appear to be quite run down and poor use of space- lines of shops and automobile shops that no one goes to make the air soo dusty and proper sidewalks havent even been put into place. The train station is terrifying, drug users hang around the station as theres a park right by it (but its NOT safe for kids) I take the bus and train every morning and afternoon and ive witnessed 5 fights on the bus within 7 months- all physical and all including alchohol. No entertainment when you are having a party for children- a trampoline park, cinema, rock climbing place, and those cant even be considered local with up to a 30 minute drive away. Some of the only good schools around Pakenham are colleges and are quite pricey, very few primary schools are religiously based and bullying is an issue in alot of these schools. I would avoid Pakenham high, it has a bad reputation for a reason- bullying- smoking, drugs, lowest vces in australia. It is horrifying.
I have met alot of very ill mannered children with horrible little attitudes and morals. Parents dont care and their kids are all inflated egos and cursing each others names, the kids dont care.
Dont move to Pakenham.
although the bakery on main street has really good sasuage rolls. (for $3.90)
Everything ive said is true, its not biased abd make believe to sell a couple houses. My comment is what Pakenham is really like. Not safe and filled with rotten, horrid and racist people.
Hey Gracep5,
Thanks for your reply.
Would you please clarify which area in Pakenham you are talking about. I am sure you are not biased,,, but I have spent a lot of time in Lakeside Pakenham , in the area near to the Lakeside Mill, and I find this area very safe, peaceful, stylish compared to value, and value for money, suitable for family and kids,, etc. This is my idea about it... meanwhile, you describe Pakenham as Horrifying ! Do you mean a specific part of Pakenham ? `Do you mean the Village of Pakenahm area,, near the cardinal council?
Which train station is terrifying ? You mean Pakenham station,, because people who stay in Lakeside (which is still in Pakenham area) uses officers station,, . ,, and I don't find it terrifying..
Regarding schooling,, your statement about that it is full of bullying.. I believe it is a very general statement, and this may be found in many schools within a usual level..
I am really interested to here from you about these question marks,, and what is the other area you think its much better, much safer, and no bullying, etc.
Looking forward for your reply.
* I meant: Cardinia Rd Station,, not Officers Station
I moved to Lakeside Pakenham from Narre Warren North about 9 years ago and have never regret the move, my two daughters (teenagers at the time) went to St Francis Xavier and enjoyed it very much, myself, work in the city and take the train (Cardinia rd station) minutes from my house, the people are friendly and I have not had any problems living here, just like every where, there are sometimes issues but what suburb doesn't!!!, I did do my research before moving to Pakenham, I literally used to come on weekends and observe the locals , used to go for walks etc.... search various areas of Pakenham and I trully felt in love with the place, as my property goes up in value, I know I made the right decision for my girls and myself.
They aren't really 'just issues'.
These are real experiences I have faced.
Ive witnessed fist fights on buses and have been approached by multiple stoners and addicts. The schooling around here is very much different, it is still not a very multicultural amd inclusive place. What I find in all these schools is that the asians will usually stick together, the africans will stick together and the whites will stick together. There is not much close inter-race friendships. Lakeside Pakenham seems nice, it really does, but it's so fake, everything about it has been created to reach an idea. None of it is genuine.
The bullying is on a different level at these schools, it's not your normal bullying.
Its either very physical, fist fights, one boy I knew was in literal danger of being charged with physical assualt.
Or its catty, they will tear you down to pieces, spread rumours and gossip.
This is what i've experienced.
Hi nickm35.. I am waiting for gracep5 to reply. I asked him/her few questions in my comment dated Jan 08 2019, but didn't get a definite answer yet. what are the other areas you think are much better?
I am also interested to know what he/she means by "Lakeside Pakenham seems nice, it really does, but it's so fake, everything about it has been created to reach an idea. None of it is genuine."
When I said Lakeside seems fake, I mean thats its all been created to be the better option. Lakeside is treated as of its toorak material, the people there are particularly snobby and rude, my family suffered alot of mistreatmant at one of the schools in Lakeside because my sister was behind, from both staff and adults. Ive lived in Pakenham and visit Lakeside on the daily for around 3 years. These are all my experiences. See my recent comments about bullying. My point is, is that Lakeside may seem great, but thats not what all of Pakenham is like, Lakeside is a very small area compared to the rest of Pakenham, more often than not you are going to come into contact with pakenham, which is not safe. I have come into contact with more drug addicts/pedophiles/abusers in my three years in Pakenham than I have in the rest of my life living elsewhere. And the racism in Lakeside/Pakenham is dreadful.
Sorry for your experience, however we moved here from Berwick 20 years ago and would never move back.
Lived on the Northside for 7 years and have been in Lakeside for 13 years.
Pakenham has the best infrastructure in the whole area, plenty on sporting clubs and things to do if you wish to join and the Lakeside people are not snobs just normal family people. In 20 years I have had no violent experiences.
Every single suburb has pockets that are less desirable and Pakenham is no different.
It has a state high school in Pakenham and a newer high school in Officer, we went private for our kids. Private secondary choices are Lakeside College, Beaconhills College, Cario College, St Francis College, Marinartha College, Heritage College.
If you are new to the area my estates of choice would be as follows.
Lakeside (its flat has all your shopping req, train station , plenty of walking and riding paths, open space , 1.5 acre Lake and Cultural Centre that has just been extended).
Heritage Springs (same as above without the Lake and Cultural Centre, train station).
Arena (technically Officer, has shopping and near Lakeside train station).
Cardinia Lakes (has shopping and a lake its on the Northside so its hillier).
Go for a drive to the area go have lunch a few times, meet some locals make your own mind up.
I have recently bought a house in Pakenham. Unfortunately Pakenham did have a bit of a bad name sometime back but Ive been here 6mths and find it really pleasant. Hooning is a problem in some areas There are small pockets of low socio economic areas as there are in some other suburbs. I live on a elevated block with awesome views and its in a culdesac with lots of parks close by very quiet area neighbours are respectful. Anything north of Pakenham station is the area to buy. realestate in this area is going gang busters we were blessed to get this property. Property on the market gets snapped up quick . Property prices have risen sharply in the last 12 mths approximately 13% to 15% and rising.
Gracep5 : Im glad you are just one opinion, I have been here for 20 years had zero trouble, raised two children yes they went to a private school, but overall they had a safe healthy upbringing. Heaps of sport, indoor pool, indoor basketball, baseball, soccer, 50mtr outdoor pool, cricket ,great new library. Base of the Danenong mountain so you can be in Gembrook in 20 min. Yes I live at Lakeside and did live in old north side for our first 6 years. Some of what you said maybe be true but that behaviour is not exclusive to Pakenham. Have you ever been down Toorak rd at night, same same right. Overall if you want to live in a town that has grown exponentially in the past 10 years, want a modern house Pakenham is great place. Best areas for me are as follows in order, Original Lakeside, Heritage Springs, Old North Side, Cardinia Lakes. Timbertop in Officer is good but basically uses Beaconsfield or Pakenham for most facilities. $650,000 to 1 Million will buy you something decent in Original Lakeside be pending on your needs.
I am glad you had a good experience John, I am only telling the truth of my experience and what I have witnessed in Pakenham amongst my peers and other adults around me. You may have found Pakenham a rewarding place to live, but I personally would suggest buyers to look elsewhere because I would never move back to Pakenham - not even if someone offered me a billion dollars.
Thanks everyone,, these are great reviews... I am surprised though why Pakenham is ranked 326th best suburb. This is counterintuitive !! I think the reason maybe because people talk about certain parts of Pakenham, and I am talking about Lakeside estate. Gracep5: I still didnt reside in Pakenham, so what areas you suggestion, I am looking for areas that have newly built homes as I am not comfortable with old homes and old infrastructure.
Im surprised also Bob it should be higher than 326. Bob you need to consider your budget Ill give you a list in my order and I have lived in Berwick 5 years, Cranbourne 5 years, Pakenham 20 years.
Beaconsfield min $1million.
Sorry wasnt finished. 2) Officer Grandview Estate $700,00 - $1million. 3) Old Berwick $1 million plus. 4) Original Lakeside $650,000 - 1million. 5) Original Heritage Springs $700,000 - $1 million. 6) Officer Timbertop $700,000 - 1million. Parts of Cranbourne are good also so its worth looking at some of those new estates, Cranbourne has a lot of infrastructure also. Im basing these price estimates on 4 bedrooms, two car garage.
BobS2: In my opinion, the ranking is accurate. The thing is, Lakeside estate is IN Pakenham. Sure, Lakeside may be a cleaner and nicer area, but it is only one small part of Pakenham. The rest of Pakenham is just not a joy to live in, and even if you do live in Lakeside its impossible to avoid the problem areas in Pakenham. The lake is also really smelly. I am not a real estate guru, so Im not sure what areas to suggest. Who knows though, from other comments people have enjoyed Pakenham so you might as well. I would never move back there though, id prefer somewhere more urban.
Not true mate..